A Highland school being used for key workers’ children was closed after a burst water pipe caused major damage to the building.
Highland Council staff discovered the problem at Lochaber High School at the weekend and were able to open alternative premises in St Columba’s Joint Campus in Caol, at the slightly later time of 10.30am.
The authority was unable to reveal the extent of the damage, but said work is continuing to make safe the affected areas and allow a full assessment of the repairs needed.
In the meantime, Lochaber High head teacher Scott Steele and his senior management team have moved to office space in Fort William.
Councillor John Finlayson, chairman of the council’s education committee, said: “I would like to thank everyone involved for their quick work to set up alternative arrangements so efficiently, working over the weekend to ensure that disruption to key workers and their children has been kept to a minimum.
“All of the families affected were informed over the weekend and I am sure staff will be working extra hard to make sure the children settle in well at the Caol Joint Campus.”
A separate Keeping in Touch Hub was due to open at Lochaber High for allocated pupils who require additional support. Caol Primary has been chosen as the alternative venue for this and staff are hoping to be able to open on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Drummond School in Inverness, for pupils with additional needs, is to reopen as a Keeping in Touch Hub following Scottish Government guidance on the phased easing of lockdown.
Mr Finlayson said: “Drummond School provides a critical service to families who have children with special needs. Those families will, understandably, have been finding these weeks of lockdown very difficult, caring for their children without the usual support.”
Paul Senior, executive chief officer education and learning, added: “A Keeping In Touch Hub will open at Drummond School this week. Parents and carers will be informed directly by the council when their children can return to school in a carefully phased return from August.”
He said risk, and health and safety assessments have been carried out for pupil, staff and volunteers attending the school. Parents and carers of children who will be attending the school have been informed of the new processes and procedures that will be in place.
